A Garden Grows in California

2 Oct '07 4:50 pm

Hi, Mark!

You were right about the "cactus" flowers; they came from the Zauschneria. When I looked back at the other picture, I noticed that the same flowers showed far above the cactus, so could not have belonged to it. The cactus certainly does have interesting flowers, though, doesn't it? What on Earth pollinates it? Hummingbirds? Whatever, it must have either a long beak or a long tongue, eh?

As for the euphorbia seedlings, I now have 8 of them about 6 inches tall with several leaves on each one. I think they've stretched a bit for the light, as they are growing under a table lamp which is on from when I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night. Soon, I plan to set up my stand with fluorescent light banks for this year's new seedlings, and I'll move the euphorbias there. That should suit them somewhat better for their first winter.

And speaking of weeds and trash in YOUR garden, you should see the stuff in mine!!

Chers!

gordonf

23 Oct '07 3:37 pm

Hi everyone. I've been reading some posts from school but I can't reply from there anymore. I thought I would upload a few pictures from this past weekend before I turn in just to keep my toe in the door.

I've included a 'working picture' with things all torn up and laying around just to show what goes into the usual posed pictures .. as if you didn't know. Lia came out and posed for me to give the sense of scale to the Aeonium succulent growing in the little circular raised bed in front of her. I think she competes well with the botanical beauty in the yard in my totally unbiased opinion

Good night all,

23 Oct '07 5:33 pm

Hi, Mark!

It's good to hear from you again! Loved the pictures, especially the backlit gunnera and, of course, Lia and Cyclops! I can only dream of growing a bromeliad outdoors! Yes, I know that Cyclops is an aeonium!

I sure hope the California fires don't get up into your area! I've been watching them on our hourly news reports - they're getting a lot of coverage here! I feel SO bad for all the displaced folks in southern Cal. Seems like you guys are having a terrible time this year what with fires in the west, droughts in the southeast and tornadoes in the mid-west!

I've just finished drawing up a floor plan for a straw bale house (I'm dreaming again!). Maybe I'll even get to build one this time around!

All the best to you!

gordonf

27 Oct '07 3:47 am

Dear Mark, it was nice to see your latest post of photos. I was sorry to hear that you can't post replies from work anymore because I know when I was still working, that was sometimes the only time I could find a few minutes to browse the Forum and keep in contact. There were always those "down" times when there was little to do except wait for the next occurrance that needed my input. My time at home was limited because of the job, so it was all devoted to keeping up with caring for animals, house and garden. We will continue to enjoy your photos whenever you can find the time to post them. I agree with Gordon that my favorites were the Gunnera and the photo of Lia with the Cyclops.

27 Oct '07 4:11 am

During the week I was reading about Bromeliads in the latest edition of "The Garden" (The Royal Horticultural Society's magazine). They had never appealed to me and I thought them very sub-tropical anyway. But suddenly I found them fascinating and thought "Mark, I just know, will love them!" And lo, here is a pic from Mark on the subject!

I share your posting frustration - for months I could not log on at school, although now - touch wood - it is seldom a problem.

How raised are your beds with Cyclops? Surely they are not taller than Lia!!

28 Oct '07 6:02 pm

Hi everyone. Well the weekend got here and Lia had a big studio tour planned for today. So all those trimmings I'd strewn around last weekend had to get picked up early this morning. I haven't weeded much in a while and the lawn could use a trim but not too bad. Her group of twenty were due at 11 am so just before that I packed up a bunch of packing material and debris along with the dogs and took off. After dropping off the recycling, the dogs and I got in a nice walk. We got back just after the group had left.

Lia took everyone out into the garden after the studio tour and one person in the group was a landscape architect. Everyone is always surprised to find an established garden in our neighborhood. He described my garden as a 'sanctuary garden' and liked that it wasn't overly manicured. Of course, he said this right after I'd just spent about two hours manicuring the heck out of it, but I think I know what he means. I like to think the 'hand of man' isn't too dominant in my garden and I enjoy gardens where it looks like nature is winning. So I missed out on chatting with the fellow myself but the dogs and I got a good walk. Don't think too badly of me for leaving Lia in the lurch. She had her studio assistant's help and I'm not much use as a salesman.

Jack the bed that aeonium is in is less than a foot tall so it easily tops Lia. It and I (at 6 feet) are about equal in height given it's little 'step stool'.

I appreciate your understanding the time constraints Faith. As a teacher, I am sort of seasonally 'retired'. Another five years or so and perhaps I can make it permanent.

Gordon we haven't had any fires in our area this season but it was in October when we had the big Oakland Hills fire that burned down so many homes. I remember we were coming back from riding bikes in a regional park North of where we live when we saw these enormous plumes of smoke and eventually fire. It isn't likely that fire would ever get down as far as our neighborhood -there are some advantages to living in a semi-industrial, 'sketchy' neighborhood- but that day it was hard to be sure as we got closer to home. I've heard a lot about haybale houses, by the way. One of these probably wouldn't last one season in your current climate but in the area you're looking into I imagine it would give you a lot of insulation for winter. I admire your energy to consider relocating. Personally I would be content never to move again. As a navy-brat I've had more than my share of pulling up stakes. Now I'm all about putting down roots.

A big shout-out also to Liza and Moosey and Bambi and Dixie and Goose and Jacqueline and Faersweet and Angie and Christopher and to everyone else in the Moosey world villiage.

Let me see if I can load some photos from today. I took a couple in the morning but most in the afternoon.

29 Oct '07 4:28 pm

Hi, Mark!

It's great to hear that the fires weren't near you and, from the news reports, that they are slowly coming under control!

Loved your pictures, especially the one of the Aeonium behind the chair, and the wonderful ones of the "Y" and its views. Your garden seems to go on for a long ways, which is a good thing, especially since, like all gardens, it does have limits. But one would never know it from these pictures!! Good for you! I also really like the idea of the begonia wall! I can't even get tuberous begonias to do well here due to the enormous slugs! I seem to be able to control them in hostas and other plants, but begonias are just too much of a temptation for them!

Now that we are closing in on the Christmas season, I've been thinking about my visits to Southern California at that time of year (Pasadena). And I'm wondering if trees like Liquidambar, Pomogranate and Mandarin Oranges are grown in your area. I remember fondly being able to pick the fruit from these fruit trees (not the Liquidambars, though!) in Pasadena around Christmas time.

Well, on to other tasks! Keep well!

-gordonf

30 Oct '07 12:24 am

Hi, Mark!! SO nice to see you again here! Your garden is glowing in this terrific Autumn way!! Have you also noticed how THIS October sun adds a special splendour to your blooms when you capture them?? Look at your Graham, your Golden Wings, your Bromeliods....They just glow!! SO very lovely, indeed!

An now, the sad part.... I just CAN'T stand hearing/talking about fire-destruction, aftet the HORRIBLE destruction, that took place in my country recently, where many poor and innocent lost their homes, houses, AND lives!Concerning the destruction of the Plant and Animal Kingdoms there, the scale of desruction is enormous...I just can't understand the scale of destruction in the beautiful California, but so far the human loss is only two poor souls, as far as I know....

30 Oct '07 2:33 am

Well Mark, I know that you left my name out purely by accident, so no offense taken. It was nice to see some more pictures of your lovely "sanctuary" gardens. Having worked for a Landscape Architect for the past ten years (prior to retirement) I can say I much prefer a real gardener's garden to one designed by an LA. They are all taught in school to use broad sweeps of plant material rather than a mixture of colors and textures, which I find so much more interesting. I am sure he admired your garden for it's randomness as much as anyone would. I also enjoyed seeing the paths and how everything relates. It was also nice to note that you have at least one seat near the new pond so that it can contemplated at leisure. Water has a quite hypnotic effect if you gaze at it long enough. Very relaxing!

30 Oct '07 2:46 am

Mark this last set really is beautiful - I think the greatest yet of your garden. The pond seems to have been there forever and I love your neat paths edged with exhuberance (and I love your story of the garden designer loving your 'unmanicured' garden. Priceless!) I have finally downloaded them at work, having ogled them in miniature all weekend. No I shall put them on as a slideshow and study them some more!

A Garden Grows in California

Cactus Flowers

A few pictures before bed time.

Missing Mark

Mark-ish plants

Ah, now I'm 'home' sick.

Fires & Garden Paths

It has been a LOOOONG time!!

Shout out to Mark

Bravo!